TIMM PAUSTIAN

An enterprising and prosperous representative of agricultural interests in Farmington township is Timm Paustian, the owner of a rich and productive tract of land comprising one hundred and eighty acres. His birth occurred in Scott county, Iowa, on the 15th of October, 1858, his parents being Joachim and Katherine (Steffen) Paustian, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was born on the 22d of July, 1826, while the mother’s natal day was August 4, 1828. After emigrating to the new world Joachim Paustian took up his abode in Scott county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for about five years. On the expiration of that period he rented a farm of eighty acres in Scott county and later rented a quarter section of land. Subsequently he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in that county, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest on the 22d of November, 1888. His wife likewise passed away in Scott county, her demise occurring on the 18th of December, 1893.

TImm Paustian, who was the third in order of birth in a family of seven children, obtained his education in the district schools of Scott county and assisted his father in the operation of the home farm until he had attained his majority. After leaving the parental roof he worked as a farm hand for about five years and at the end of that time rented one hundred and sixty acres of land in Muscatine county. Subsequently he purchased a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Farmington township, Cedar county, the further cultivation and improvement of which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. In addition to this property he owns two and a half lots in Durant and also has a house and barn in that town. His home farm is well improved in every particular, the buildings thereon including a fine residence, a good barn and other necessary structures for the shelter of grain and stock. The soil, which is naturally rich and productive, yields abundant annual harvests, while his stock-raising interests also prove a source of gratifying revenue to him.

On the 8th of March, 1880, in Davenport, Mr. Paustian was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Watcke, a daughter of Hans and Annie (Ewolt) Watcke, who were natives of Germany and came to this country in 1856. The mother passed away in Durant, Iowa, but the father still survives and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Paustian. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six children, five sons and one daughter, the record of whom is as follows: Herman, a resident of Muscatine county, wedded to Miss Annie Schorr, a daughter of Jacob Schorr, who is mentioned on another page of this volume. Louis, living in Farmington township, this county, married Miss Clara Miller, a daughter of William Miller, whose sketch also appears on another page of this work. Hugo, Emil and Victor are all at home. Alma is the wife of Adolph Petersen and makes her home in Davenport.

When exercising his right of franchise Mr. Paustian supports the men and measures of the democracy, being a firm believer in its principles. He now holds the office of school director, having served in that capacity for the past four years. He and his family belong to the German Lutheran church and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Paustian has had no false standard of life, but, aware that earnest and indefatigable labor constitutes the basis for advancement in the world’s work, has been diligent in seeking and winning prosperity, and that he has lived honorably is manifest in the fact that he enjoys the respect and confidence of those who have known him from boyhood.